Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Atlanta Braves

After Thursday’s series finale in Philadelphia was postponed, the Miami Marlins are now set to travel to Atlanta for three games against their division rival. The Marlins have performed well against Atlanta so far this season winning five of seven against the Braves with three coming at Truist Park.

The Braves enter this series two games below .500, and winners in four of their last six. Atlanta has scored by-far the most amount of runs of any NL East team this season, but have also surrendered the most as well. Despite an under-.500 record, the Braves appear to be starting to catch fire recently making this a tough series for the Marlins in Atlanta.

The first pitch times and probable pitching matchups for each game of the series can be found below (Games at Truist Park, Atlanta, GA):

Miami Marlins (34-45, 5th in NL East) vs Atlanta Braves (39-41, 3rd in NL East)

Friday, July 2

First Pitch: 7:20 pm ET

Probable Starters: Pablo Lopez (4-4, 2.87 ERA) vs Drew Smyly (5-3, 4.79 ERA)

Saturday, July 3

First Pitch: 4:10 pm ET

Probable Starters: TBD vs Kyle Muller (1-1, 2.70 ERA)

Sunday, July 4

First Pitch: 1:20 pm ET

Probable Starters: TBD vs Charlie Morton (7-3, 3.74 ERA)

Braves Players To Watch

• RF Ronald Acuna Jr (#13) – .283 AVG, 22 HR, 48 RBI, 16 SB
• 2B Ozzie Albies (#1) – .265 AVG, 15 HR, 57 RBI, 12 SB
• 3B Austin Riley (#27) – .280 AVG, 14 HR, 39 RBI

Key To Win Series: Pitching 

As mentioned previously, the Marlins have performed well against Atlanta so far this season. However, as the Braves bats are beginning to heat-up once again, the Marlins pitching (in particular starting pitching) will be key for Miami to pick up some much-needed wins.

Series Predictions

Offensive MVP: Adam Duvall

Duvall was phenomenal against his former team earlier this season in Atlanta collecting seven hits, three HRs, and nine RBI’s in four games. Could the veteran slugger do it again?

Pitching MVP: Pablo Lopez

Lopez has struggled mightily during his two starts this season against Atlanta surrendering 10 runs in seven innings pitched. Don’t be surprised if we see Pablo break that recent trend against the Braves in Game 1 of the series.

Bold Prediction: Marlins win series

Both teams badly need wins, and are in the midst of arguably the most important stretch of the 2021 season up to this point. While the Miami Marlins haven’t looked great aside from a game or two recently, they have performed well against Atlanta this season. Could Miami win another series in Atlanta to build some momentum going into the All-Star Break?